Some of Ireland’s most expensive childcare providers will be required to lower their fees from September under a new government measure aimed at easing costs for families.
The Department of Children has announced the introduction of a new maximum fee cap for early learning and childcare services that receive core State funding. The change will apply to around 10% of providers participating in the government’s childcare support schemes.
Starting in September, both new and existing providers receiving State funding will be subject to capped weekly fees based on the number of hours of care provided. The highest possible charge for full-time childcare—defined as between 40 and 50 hours per week—will be capped at €295.
This move brings the top-end cost closer to the national average weekly fee of €197 for full-day care, according to the Department.
Families will continue to benefit from additional financial support through the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) and the two-year free Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. For example, a parent paying the new maximum fee of €295 per week would automatically receive a universal NCS subsidy of €96.30, reducing their actual weekly payment to €198.70. Many families will be eligible for even higher subsidies based on their income, the number of children, and their ages.
The fee cap is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to make childcare more affordable and to ensure that State-supported providers offer fair and predictable pricing for families.
